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Meterko and Morgan win at Butler Invite

BUTLER — Punxsutawney junior Brody Morgan knew he could handle the muddy, slippery runaway while throwing the javelin at the Butler Invitational Friday. Since Punxsy doesn't have a runway, he was used to not having a clear path for the approaches on his throws.

Morgan was surprised with where he finished, winning the javelin (177-0) with a throw six feet further from his next closest competitor, Kyle Armagost of Moniteau (171-2).

Morgan also finished in fifth place in the shot put (45-7 3/4).

"It felt good, even though it was my fourth meet in six days," Morgan said. "I was surprised I won the javelin, because I wanted to go out and throw my seed, but I was able to win."

John Smith, the Chucks head coach, said he felt Morgan could finish in the top three.

"It was exciting, because I knew going in that he had a chance to place," Smith said. "I didn't know that he would win. He had a great throw."

Punxsutawney had three kids place at the Butler Invite, which featured nearly 25 schools, most of which were from the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League.

"The kids were excited," Smith said. "It's one of the reasons we come to these big meets. The kids got a chance to take a look at the competition, especially the WPIAL kids."

A.J. Meterko won the 800-meter run (1:59.2) and placed fifth in the 1,600-meter (4:32.57) and Kevin Byars placed fifth in the triple jump (43-0), along with Morgan's two top seven finishes.

"For A.J. to break two minutes in a big meet is a big deal," Smith said. "He took off to the lead and did well from there."

Morgan said he was looking forward to some time off after competing so much in a short period of time.